There was quite a :lot happening in this book but it all was very well written and it all tied up nicely. Characters were very well drawn but I found them to be very easily distrustful of each other through the book.

Elizabeth Essex is gifted at writing female characters who break the mold, and Celia the Botanist is no exception. The "he-said/she-said" blackmail plot may have gone on a bit long for my taste, but eventually the hero & heroine resolved their problems by actually talking about them, followed by vigorous kissing and other fun sexy things.

Rupert Delacorte (Del) and Celia Paxton had several things in common. They came to know each other through letters between him and his sister Emily, who was her best friend in school. In fact, they fell in love through these same letters. They loved and mourned Emily. They are both being blackmailed about the circumstances of Emily’s death. Because of the blackmailer, Del blames Celia for Emily’s death and means to bring about her ruin. Celia cannot understand why Del seems to hate her. The story revolves around the two of them trying to deal with each other while dealing with the increasing demands of the blackmailer. Their blackmailer makes solving both situations difficult. The mystery of the blackmailer is easy for the reader than for Celia and Del, but there is a surprise for everybody. As for their “romance,” you just want to shake them both and yell, “Get on with it!” Things do finally start to come together for both problems, but will it work out and in time to catch the blackmailer, discover what happened to Emily, and just maybe find love? We’ll see. There is a lot going on in this story, but the well-written plot is interesting and engaging. The characters are well-developed (although a little confused and angsty). Overall a nice read.

I love this book. WOW! Mental images are more powerful. Love the character development. Whatever was changed was definitely for the better. This is one to read over and over again. 5 STARS*****